(CNN) -- Australia struggled to 134 for four wickets by the close of a rain-hit first day of the final Ashes Test against England in Sydney on Monday.
Paceman Tim Bresnan took two wickets, including the scalp of Australia captain Michael Clarke, with Chris Tremlett and off-spinner Graeme Swann sharing the other two dismissals on a truncated day.
England went into the match at the SCG buoyed by retaining the Ashes and taking a 2-1 series lead in the fourth Test in Melbourne and appear in a strong position to clinch the series.
Clarke, replacing the injured Ricky Ponting as skipper, won the toss and elected to bat in overcast and helpful conditions for bowling.
But his openers Shane Watson and Phil Hughes frustrated England with a stubborn stand off 55.
It ended the last ball before lunch when Hughes was caught by Paul Collingwood off Tremlett.
Usman Khawaja, making his debut in place of Ponting, shared another half-century stand with Watson until the opener departed in the 40s again as Bresnan had him caught behind.
Clarke continued his poor form in the series, making only four before coming the second of Bresnan's victims, chopping to James Anderson in the gully.
Khawaja, the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia, continued to impress, but just before the rains came he top-edged a sweep off Swann to depart for 37.
It left Mike Hussey on 12 not out, with Brad Haddin yet to come to the crease as play ended early under dark skies and heavy drizzle. CNN
